9S – NieR: Automata. Our favorite RPG companions and team members

In Automata, nothing is what it seems. When we first see 9S, he seems to be a likable young boy, roughly playing the role of 2B's younger brother. His personality gives the impression of being rather uncomplicated – just a nice, heroic and helpful guy, which is nothing we haven't seen in an RPG before. The further into the woods you get, however, the more interesting he gets.

PlatinumGames has done the near-impossible, bringing the best out of a niche series – offering a compelling story and distinct characters – and spicing it up with extremely enjoyable combat mechanics. If we add to that the mesmerizing audiovisual setting, we can only ask ourselves why the game didn't break sales records in its release year.

The answer, however, is relatively simple. NieR: Automata has a lot of layers. Damn many layers. To know and understand them all takes time and patience. By the time the game turns out to be a remarkable philosophical treatise, it may seem like just a charming action game. The same applies to companions. 9S only becomes a multi-dimensional character after several hours of gameplay and at least one death. He can be much more, but I won't take away from your opportunity to discover 2B's secrets – it's too much fun not to do it yourself.

Tower – Tower of Time

Yes, this is not a mistake. Tower from Tower of Time a title from a Polish indie studio is not only one of the most original companions in terms of... physical structure, but also in terms of character psychology. It's not really clear what the Tower specifically is – an artificial intelligence, a virtual consciousness, or perhaps a living organism?

It's a shame that the work of the Polish studio is still relatively unknown. Programmers from Pomerania managed to create a coherent and more polished world than in many AAA productions. What's more, the creators of the storyline skillfully trick the player with a beginning that is as stiff and schematic as possible. The deeper into the game, however, the more interesting it gets. Obvious and unambiguous choices are scarce around here. The only thing Tower of Time guarantees is an ethical razzmatazz at the end.

Our companions are representatives of all species inhabiting the world – elves, dwarves, frostlings, humans, and finally, shadows (acting as a kind of deities). The tower does not fall into any category. It also does not directly accompany us in battle (although it does happen to both help and hinder). However, it is present from the beginning to almost the very end. Moreover, it also undergoes a kind of emotional evolution. This allows you to learn about its goals and motivations, which aren't the same as the player's ones. In order not to spoil too much, because many of you probably haven't played Tower of Time yet, I'll just say that if you're going to finish the main storyline, prepare a supply of tissues. The kind that is non-virtual.

Minsc and Boo – Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate became famous as the production that revolutionized RPGs. Today, the solutions proposed here may seem somewhat outdated, but back then they really brought a lot of freshness to the entire industry. Particularly interesting were the innovations regarding the combat mechanics, interesting even after so many years since its release (although sometimes a bit tiresome). The main character's companions have also taken their place in video game history. The most iconic of them – Minsc and Boo. .

Placing the second one at the beginning is a joke. The mighty barbaric warrior consulting half his actions with a hamster must surely sound like madness. But the more attentive players won't question Minsc's sanity. In the end, it turns out he was right about Boo. The animal is actually a miniaturized version of a giant space hamster. Can you think of anything more absurd? And cute at the same time?

Minsc is eager to fight all the time. It's a bit like Obelix who fallen into a caffeine tub instead of magical brew. But this guy has cared more about his physique. There's no denying that the warrior himself is a largely run-of-the-mill character, based on the archetype of the big and menacing but good guy. So what if the effect is great, though? Of all the characters in Baldur's Gate, even the far more psychologically complex ones, we remembered him (we'd try not to, wouldn't we, Boo?).